Electrical-fixture-supporting device



Aug. 31 1926.

p c E. WARNER ELECTRICAL FIXTURE SUPPORTING bravxcn Filed May 20, 1921 Patented Aug. 31, 1926.

UNITED STATES is eaoea Parent entice.

CHESTER E. WARNER, OF BERVYN, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOE TO BENJAMIN ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLZNOIS.

ELECTRICAL-FIXTURE-SUEPORTING DEVICE.

Application filed May 20, 1921.

My invention relates to electrical fixture supporting devices, and connections therefor.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved fixture supporting device in which the fixture can be readily connected and disconnected with respect to the receptacle, both electrically and mechanically.

A further object of my invention is to provide such a device which will be simple in construction, cheap to manufacture and durable and eilicient in use.

Further objects will appear from the detailed description to follow, and from the appended claims.

In the drawings in which an embodiment of my invention is shown- Fig. 1 is a part elevational, part sectional view showing a fixture supporting device and receptacle;

Fig. 2 is a face view of the receptacle of *ig. 3 is an inner face view of the connecting bracket and plug;

F 4. is a bottom View of the connecting bracket and plug; and

Fig. 5 is a side view partly in section of the connecting bracket and plug, and supporting plate.

The construction shown in the drawings comprises a fixture (the stem 11, and finishing sleeve 12 alone being shown) a receptacle 13, a plug-in device 14 for electrically connecting the fixture 10 with the receptacle 13, and a mechanical connecting member or bracket 15101 mechanically connecting the fixture with respect to the receptacle.

The plug-in device 14 is carried by the connecting bracket 15, being bodily slidably mounted thereon, to permit the necessary movement of the connecting bracket 15 for making the mechanical connection without interfering with the insertion of the contact blades 16 ot the plug-in device 14 into the openings 17 provided in the receptacle.

The mechanical connector member 15 is secured to a supporting plate 18 (which may be a sort of cover for the outlet box) by means of four hook-members 19, which hook over the edges of the openings in the supporting plate 18. The connection between the connecting bracket 15 and the supporting plate 18 is effected by two movements,

Serial No. 471,153.

a movement of insertion to bring the hook members 19 back of the plate 18, and a downward movement to engage the hookmembers with the edges of the openings.

The sliding connection between the plug in device 1 1, and the connecting bracket 15 hereinbefore referred to permits the downward movement of the connecting bracket 15 without interference from the engage ment of the blades 16 in the openings 17. This sliding connection of the plug-in device 14 with the connecting bracket 15 is effected by means of a pair of lugs 20 struck up from the material of the bracket 15, these lugs overlying portions of the insulating base 21 on which the contact blades 16 are mounted. These lugs 20 may be bent down after the insulating base 21 is placed in position on the bracket.

in order to secure the bracket 15 in connected position on the plate 18, a screw 22 is provided, which is threaded into an inwardly extending ear 23 on the connecting bracket and bears on the underside of the insulating base 21. To disconnect the bracket- 15 from the supporting plate 18, the screw 22 is backed away from the insulating base 21 to permit the bracket 15 to be slipped upwardly sul'liciently to free the hooks 19 from engagement with the supporting plate 18. The fixture 10 "with the bracket 15 and the plug-in device 1 1 can then be pulled straight out.

For connecting the stem 11 of the fixture 10 with the connecting bracket 15, a bushing 24: is provided, which is rivet-ed to the connecting bracket and into which the stem 11 of the fixture is screwed.

A suitable ornamental finishing cover or canopy 25 may be provided for housing the connecting bracket 15 and associated parts, this canopy being held against a shoulder on the bushing 241 by means of the finishing sleeve 12 of the fixture.

A suitable ornamental finishing plate or escutcheon 26 may be secured in front of the supporting plate 18. Suitable binding screws 27 are provided for the wires which lead from the contact blades 16 to the fixture terminals.

For electrically and mechanically connecting the fixture with respect to the receptacle 13, the screw 22 is backed off sulficiently to permit the sliding movement of the plug-in device 14 on the bracket 15 and the connector member is presented in position with respect to the receptacle so that the blades 16 can be pushed into the receptacle 13, and the hooks 19 pushed through the openings in the supporting plate 18. After the hooks have been pushed in far enough, the connecting bracket 15 is slipped down to engage the hooks 19 in back of the plate 18. After the connecting bracket 15 is in position, the screw 22 is tightened up to prevent the bracket 15 from being lifted up with respect to the plug-in device thus preventing the hooks 19 from becoming dis.- engaged from the supporting plate 18. The connecting bracket 15 may he formed of an integral sheet metal stamping having portions struck up to form the hook members-19 and the retaining lugs 20.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to ecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A receptacle having contacts, a flat supporting plate in front of said receptacle, and having an opening therein affording access to said receptacle, said receptacle being substantially flush with said supporting plate, and means for mechanically supporting a fixture in position with respect to said receptacle comprising a bracket having hooks O which pass through said supporting plate and hook in behind it, and means for electrically connecting said fixture with respect to said receptacle comprising a plug, having contacts for engaging the receptacle contacts, slidably mounted on said bracket, whereby said hooks can be hooked behind said plate after the plug contacts have entered the receptacle, and means acting between said bracket and plug for holding the hooks connected.

2. A receptacle having contacts, a fiat sup-- porting plate in front of said receptacle,

and having an opening therein affording access to said receptacle, said receptacle being substantially flush with said supporting plate, and means for mechanically supporting a fixture in position with respect to said receptacle comprising a bracket having hooks which pass through said supporting plate and hook in behind it, and means for,

electrically connecting said fixture with respect to said receptacle comprising aiplug, having contacts for engaging tie receptacle contacts, slidably mounted on said bracket, whereby said hooks can be hooked behind said plate after. the plug contacts have entered the receptacle, and means acting between said bracket and plug for holding the hooks connected, said means comprising a screw threaded in said bracket and engaging the plug for holding the hooks connected.

3. The combination with a fixture and a receptacle, of means for electrically connecting the fixture to the receptacle, and mechanically connecting and supporting the fixture with respect to the receptacle, and means comprising a supporting plate, a connecting bracket and a plug-in device mounted for bodily sliding movement on said bracket, said supporting plate having a' fiat apertured portion, and said bracket having hook members for engaging said apertures, and means mounted on the bracket and acting on the plug for holding the bracket in connected position.

d. The combination with a fixture and a receptacle, of means for electrically connecting the fixture with respect to the receptacle, and mechanically connecting and supporting the fixture with respect to the receptacle, said means comprising a supporting plate, a connecting bracket, and a plug-in device mounted for bodily sliding movement on said bracket, said bracket and plate being, provided with interengaging means whereby said bracket may be connected to said plate by movement toward said receptacle and laterally with respect thereto, and screw-threaded means mounted on the bracket and acting on the plug for holding the bracket in connected position.

5. l he combination with a fixture and a rcce otacle, of means for electrically connecting the fixture with respect to the receptacle, and mechanically connecting and supporting the fixture with respect to the r ceptacle, said means comprising a supporting plate, a connecting bracket, and a plug-in device mounted for bodily sliding movement on said bracket, said bracket and plate being provided with interengaging means whereby said bracket may be connected by said plate by movement toward said receptacle, and laterally with respect thereto, and screw-threaded ,means acting between the bracket and plug for holding the bracket in connected position.

6. The combination with a'fixture and receptacle, of means for electrically connecting the fixture with respect to the receptacle, and mechanically connecting and supportingthe fixture with respect to the receptacle, said means comprising a supporting plate,a connecting bracket, and a plug-in device mounted for bodily sliding movement on said bracket, said bracket and plate being provided with. inter-engaging means whereby said bracket may be connected to said plate by movement toward said receptacle and laterally with respect thereto, said plate having a flat portion having an aperture therein, and said bracket having hook members for engaging said apertures, and screwthreaded means for holding the bracket in connected position,

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name;

onnsrnn 11 WARNER. 

